I'm so sorry I haven't updated. Went on vacation and didn't have internet

Ch. 11: Deep Trouble

The next day, both Numair and Daine we're able to move around. After a full night sleep, their strength had returned and the pain they had felt was gone.

Daine though, still wanted answers. Most of the questions she had could only be answered by Perin and that was going to be a problem. Alanna and Numair wouldn't let her go out alone without an escort. Perin was getting dangerous and they didn't want to underestimate his power.

Daine however, didn't want the others getting harmed if Perin was after her. She had a plan of how she could to him without getting anyone else, or herself, harmed.

She knew for a fact Perin wouldn't let his army her in any way. Put a sleeping spell on her maybe, but that would be it. If she could get into the forest with a darking, Perin would find her and take her to his hideout.

There, once the darking knew the exact location, she would find a way for the immortal to escape. Knowing the darking would be safe, she would handle Perin by herself. How she would defeat him she didn't know. Since it needed to be done quickly, she decided to wait and see what she would have on hand.

But right now, Daine thought that was too many 'ifs' and 'woulds'. The wild mage wanted to do something now before things got worse. If she was going to do something it had to be soon after she talked to Numair and Alanna. For one, she wanted to know what she was up against.

Exiting her tent, she went in search for her friends. Asking a near-by guard, Daine went to the river that trailed behind her old village. Coming up she could see her friends sitting on a log talking quietly.

Taking a deep breath, she went over and sat beside her teacher.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

Wrapping an arm around her waist Numair replied, "Tactics. The Perin now and the Perin in Corus are two different people."

"So I've noticed," Daine breathed.

"We need to find out how he's doing this," he continued. "So far, all we know is that all him immortals have green stones attached to them. But none have come close enough for us to examine them."

"I think I can help with that," Daine suggested.

Talking to Numair, Daine had forgotten the Lioness was with them. Now she remembered.

"We can talk about that later," Alanna said. "For now let's deal with the people here. Daine, why don't you check on the animals? Make sure their alright."

Smiling to her friend, Daine got up and went over to the water's edge. Being near water made her feel relaxed and it was easier to call on her magic.

Letting the magic go as far as it could, she could almost jump in glee. The animals in Snowsdale were thriving better than anyone could have hoped. Since their last healing, less than twenty animals have gotten sick and/or died.

Few of the animals that were sick could be helped but the wild mage did what she could. The worst patient was a snow leopard with a broken hind leg. From the images the cub showed her, he had gotten in the way of a testy hurrok.

After she was done, Daine wanted to make sure the next healing would be the last; at least until Snowsdale was safe. Getting their attention, the young girl showed them images of destroyed villages like her own.

Many of these animals came to the huts and barns in search for food. Though they were gone or burned, it wouldn't stop them from eating the waste.

Making sure the images embedded in their minds, Daine ordered them not to eat or drink anything from these old homes.

Done, Daine was about to reel her magic back in when she felt an immortal coming towards her. From the size it was a Stormwing.

Grabbing a few rocks, Daine backed away as Perin's head messenger came to view. Landing on a rock that was in her shooting range, he eyes the mortals. Turning his attention to Daine he snarled, "Hello wench. Are you ready?"

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Ignorant as ever," he said more to himself then to the others. "Well I warned you. Since you won't come on your own, I'll take you myself."

Flying to the air at a faster speed than most Stormwings', he swooped down towards Daine. Aiming for the eye, she threw one of the rocks in her hand. Like always it hit its target.

Screaming in pain, he shook his head until the rock flew from his eye socket.

"Bastard!" he screeched. His eye oozing, he came forward at a slower speed.

Getting another rock, she threw it at his other eye hitting dead on. Now both eyes were bleeding strange green blood.

Knowing she was running out of weapons, Daine looked for an opening.

"Daine! Aim for the stone!" yelled Numair over the immortals angry cries.

Grabbing her last rock, she pushed all her strength to throw and aim for the green stone. When the rock hit, the jewel broke from the immortal and landed on the ground near her feet.

"No!" screamed the Stormwing in what seemed like fear.

Suddenly, both stone and creature glowed with a strong green glow striped with red. The light was so intense, Daine had to cover her eyes and backed up to the log. Even there she felt that if it didn't stop soon she would go blind.

After what seemed like forever, the light dimmed and vanished. Looking up, Daine saw the Stormwing was gone and the only thing left was a pile of green blood and the stone.

Numair walked over and picked up the strange rock. After turning it once, he stiffened and froze.

When he didn't say anything for awhile, Daine and Alanna walked over in front of him.

"What is it?" asked his student. Looking at them, Daine got frightened by the grave expression that covered him face.

"If this is what I think it is," he whispered slowly, "we are in deep trouble."